“That’s just what I intend to do, young fellow,” the man answered, panting from his exertions.
“What do you s’pose—Why, if it isn’t Dan Hardy!”
“Oh, Mr. Lee” exclaimed Dan, recognizing the crusty storekeeper for whom he had once worked. “I didn’t know you at first.”
“No, and no one else would either, the way I had to run to escape being killed by that ugly critter. You let him loose on purpose, that’s what you did.”
“On purpose, Mr. Lee?”
“Yes, that’s what you done. I know you! You wanted to pay me back for not taking you into my store again, and you thought you’d get even. I’ll have the law on you for this!”
The bull was now pawing around the foot of the tree, paying no attention to Dan, but, seemingly, very anxious to get at the storekeeper.
“You have no right to talk that way, Mr. Lee,” spoke Dan firmly. “You know I had nothing to do with the bull chasing you. I couldn’t help it.”
“Didn’t you let the bull loose?”
“No, sir. He broke out of the upper lot, when I was changing him from the south pasture. There was a weak place in the fence.”